Prince Zeng touched the dragon throne.
“Liu Tong’en, escort Father Emperor back to the Imperial Dragon Terrace.”
“Feng Lai, attend to the ink and brush!”
Eunuch Feng, still holding Emperor An’s upper body, protested: “Your Highness, this servant must attend to His Majesty…”
“There are imperial physicians to care for Father Emperor, and Liu Tong’en will stay by his side. The most urgent matter now is resolving the crisis in the capital and allowing Lord Xiao to lead troops out of the palace.”
“But…”
“No buts. Father Emperor is gravely ill, and I will oversee the court in his stead. Do you dare disobey me?”
Eunuch Feng’s face paled: “This servant wouldn’t dare!”
Prince Zeng’s voice was stern: “Then hurry and prepare the ink and brush!”
Scolded and pressured by the prince’s authority, Eunuch Feng reluctantly handed Emperor An to Physician Wang and others who stepped forward. Liu Tong’en escorted them as they carried the emperor away.
Watching Prince Zeng sit on the dragon throne, never once glancing at the disheveled Emperor An, showing no trace of concern, and instead immediately commanding the emperor’s close attendant, his eager and unfilial arrogance, despite his efforts to suppress his glee, made many courtiers below frown in discomfort.
When he read aloud the decree of self-reproach, every point directly criticized Emperor An’s faults, accusing him of failing in disaster relief, neglecting oversight, lacking virtue, and acting tyrannically, stopping just short of declaring him unfit to rule.
The courtiers’ gazes grew even more guarded.
Emperor An had indeed lost virtue, and his actions tonight invited scorn, but anyone could criticize him, except the Crown Prince.
Since ancient times, filial piety and propriety dictated that a son does not speak of his father’s faults or flatter his kin.
Parents are the root of a person, with filial piety first and respect for elders paramount.
This Crown Prince…
Many shook their heads inwardly. Even if he fearlessly stood up for the people and loyal vassals, his single act of “unfilial” behavior erased the goodwill he had earned by bravely exposing the events of twenty years ago.
Some rigid civil officials even showed open dissatisfaction, restrained only by the circumstances.
The decree of self-reproach was handed to Xiao Yan, who glanced at it and tucked it away.
Signs of the palace gates being breached were evident, with firelight nearly illuminating the night sky. Xiao Yan didn’t linger, holding the tiger tally and speaking gravely: “Commander Yu, lead the remaining imperial guards with me out of the palace. General Yin, please take the remaining Black Armored Guards and palace attendants to secure Zichen Hall.”
He released Tang Ning’s hand, looking solemnly at the aged general.
“My He family has lost all its kin, leaving only Tang Ning. The Dragon Court Guards may bring slaughter. I’ll leave the remaining Black Armored Guards here under your command to protect the lords in the hall. I ask you, no matter what, to keep Tang Ning and Lady Rong safe.”
“I trust only you!”
General Yin’s expression shook. He could see how much Xiao Yan cared for Princess Xiangning, and now he entrusted his “weakness” to him without hesitation.
General Yin replied with utmost gravity: “Rest assured, I swear on my life to protect them.”
Xiao Yan nodded: “Canglang, stay here and follow General Yin’s orders.”
“Yes!”
“Marquis Wenxin, when I leave the palace, find a chance to mobilize the capital’s patrols to calm the people and prevent unrest.”
“Understood.”
“General Mo, General Fan, each of you take a hundred imperial guards and clear the palace of any who take advantage of the chaos. Seize them all.”
“Yes.”
“Your Highness, Zichen Hall is in your hands.”
Prince Zeng nodded eagerly: “Lord Xiao, rest assured.”
After giving his instructions, Xiao Yan turned to Tang Ning, gently squeezing her hand: “Wait for me here.”
Tang Ning nodded: “Be careful. I’ll wait for you, Brother.”
Xiao Yan smoothed her disheveled hair, giving a soft “mm,” then spun, brandishing his sword.
“Let’s go!”
The generals and Marquis Wenxin quickly followed, and the imperial guards were led out by Yu Yanfeng.
Canglang took charge of the remaining Black Armored Guards in the hall. Under General Yin’s orders, aside from those guarding Tang Ning and her aunt, the rest swiftly secured the perimeter of Zichen Hall.
“Tang Ning…” Qian Qiyue was full of worry.
Tang Ning felt her friend’s cold hand gripping hers and said softly: “It’s alright.”
She comforted Qian Qiyue and the others in the hall. Despite her delicate beauty, her calm composure steadied the anxious courtiers.
Only Rong Yue, standing beside her, could see her clenched jaw, the fists hidden in her sleeves, and the trembling eyelashes betraying her tension.
…
It was supposed to be a joyous Mid-Autumn Festival, but the capital was rocked by successive upheavals. The fighting at the palace gates was already terrifying, and the Dragon Court Guards’ forceful entry into the city spread panic throughout the capital.
“It’s bad! The Dragon Court Guards are storming in, and the palace gates may not hold!”
“That damned Shang Qin!”
Di Tao speared an imperial guard who tried to take his life in the chaos, cursing at the sight of the approaching crowd: “I knew that bastard was up to no good!”
Shang Qin had agreed to act at the third quarter of the xu hour, feigning a siege to bolster Xiao Yan’s position in the palace and pressure Emperor An to yield. They had planned not to truly breach the city unless Di Tao signaled a change in the palace. But Shang Qin delayed until the second quarter of the hai hour to act.
In that half-hour, Di Tao’s forces were caught off guard by an unknown group. Two lieutenants who had shown goodwill suddenly turned on him, nearly stabbing him through. Just as he heard the war drums and felt a moment of relief, word came that the Dragon Court Guards had breached the city gates and were heading straight for the palace.
This was no feigned attack, Shang Qin clearly intended to seize the chaos to kill those in the palace and topple Emperor An’s throne.
Fighting while retreating, Di Tao tried to fall back to the palace gates but was blocked by imperial guards behind him, while the Dragon Court Guards closed in ahead.
Cursing under his breath, he saw the leading figures on horseback approach.
Recognizing their faces, Di Tao shouted at a tall, lean man: “Shang Qin, you shameless scoundrel!”
Shang Qin, clad in armor and gripping a long saber, replied: “Young General Di jests. I heard of the capital’s turmoil and learned of injustices in the southern case. I’ve led the Dragon Court Guards to protect the emperor. Hearing the sounds of slaughter in the city, I feared for His Majesty’s safety and brought troops in.”
Di Tao spat: “Bullshit!”
Shang Qin ignored Di Tao’s anger, waving his saber.
“It’s said Young General Di joined the four suburban camps, yet now you’re fighting at the palace gates. With blood everywhere and no imperial guards to seize you, it seems you’re colluding with palace rebels?”
“You…”
“Seize them!”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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